Future king set to follow the same rule that once applied to his father
As Prince George approaches his 12th birthday, the young royal is on the cusp of a significant change—one that mirrors a key moment in his father Prince William's early life.
Royal protocol dictates that once an heir turns 12, they should no longer fly on the same aircraft as the next in line to the throne. This longstanding rule is in place to protect the monarchy's line of succession in the event of a tragic incident.
The tradition dates back decades. RAF Squadron Leader Graham Laurie, who served the Royal Family, shared on the Right Royal Podcast in 2023, "We flew all four: the Prince [Charles], the Princess [Diana], Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old. After that, he had to have a separate aircraft."
With Prince George reaching that same milestone, it's still unclear whether he or Prince William will begin traveling separately. However, royal experts expect the family to approach the change with their usual care and unity.
“This is a rule which I think applies only to flying,” royal commentator Jennie Bond told The Mirror. “It’s going to be rather annoying… because they are such a tight little unit and obviously enjoy traveling together.”
Despite the inconvenience, Bond believes the Prince and Princess of Wales will handle the transition thoughtfully. “They will explain the situation as gently as possible,” she said, adding that George likely won't be left entirely alone. “They will just divide up as a family.”
